TOP 19 Best Cheap Lawn Mowers of 2024 – Mowing on a Budget!

What’s that?

You want the ultimate list of the best cheap lawnmowers for 2024?!

Well, we’ve got 19 for you!

It’s up to you to decide which one takes the crown – read on and see if you can pick the number one.

Please note that aside from one obvious exception, I’ve regarded “cheap” mowers as any that are under $400 (at the time of writing this article).

A buyer’s guide and FAQ section will follow.

Beautiful lawns are achievable for all – even if you need to stick to a budget.

TOP 19 Best Budget-Friendly Lawn Mowers for 2024

American Lawn Mower Company Push Reel Lawn Mower

Let’s get chopping with one of the cheapest mowers on the market, a classic reel push mower from the American Lawn Mower Company.

It features four, 14-inch blades and two, 8.5-inch polymer composite wheels. Offering an adjustable cutting height of 0.5″-1.75″ for a clean, scissor-like cut every time, this is a quality alternative to gas or electric-powered mowers.

Ideal for smaller yards, this mower will handle all types of grass, no matter what you’re faced with.

Reward: The cheapest reel mower on the market.

Pros

Cons

Great States 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower

We’ll stay with the manual reel mowers for the time being with this version from the brand Great States.

It offers an extra blade with five sharpened edges for cutting, 8.5-inch wheels, and variable cutting heights between 0.5″-1.75″. It’s a lean, green, oil and gas-free cutting machine, with a T-style handle with cushioned grip for comfortable use.

The blades are made of high-quality, heat-treated alloy to stay sharp for longer and provide excellent performance through the season.

Reward: Technically speaking, it’s a great but cheap “zero turn” mower.

Pros

Cons

If you want the real deal on zero-turn mowers, read our article on the best commercial zero-turn lawn mowers of 2024!

Black+Decker BESTA512CM Electric Lawn Mower

Now, this is a great little device from Black & Decker – a three-in-one electric lawnmower, trimmer, and edger.

It has a 6.5 amp motor and power drive transmission to offer great performance no matter the job. Featuring an automatic feed spool, you can keep working without having to ever stop and adjust the cutting line.

A handy cord retention system prevents disconnection, while variable cutting heights offer you control around your yard. It’s the perfect tool if you have a small plot of green to take care of.

Reward: One of the most versatile gardening tools on the market.

Pros

Cons

American Lawn Mower Company Corded Electric Lawn Mower

Another entry for the American Lawn Mower Company, this time it’s their highly-rated electric, corded mower.

It packs in a powerful 11-amp motor for cutting all types of grass, with a large 14-inch cutting width with five-position easy-change cutting height adjustment from 1″ to 2.5″.

There are options for multiple handle heights so you can adjust it to suit your needs, while the frame itself is lightweight and easy to fold and store.

A two-in-one bag or mulch function is very useful, and a push-button start will get you going in no time.

Reward: Hands down the most popular cheap corded lawnmower out there.

Pros

Cons

GreenWorks 16-Inch Reel Lawn Mower + Grass Catcher

The first of several entries from Greenworks is this classic push reel mower that also comes with a 7-amp blower. A generous 16-inch cutting path gets the job done faster, while the two-in-one feature offers both rear bag collection or mulching.

There are four positions of height adjustment to tackle all grass types, and the 10-inch rear wheels and two-inch front wheels make it super easy to comfortably negotiate your lawn. The leaf blower has an electric start and can reach a strength of 160 mph – perfect for clearing your yard of debris.

For this price, it’s not a bad combo to have in your tool shed.

Reward: A great lawnmower and leaf blower package.

Pros

Cons

Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Electric Lawn Mower

This 14-inch, 13-amp electric mower from Sun Joe is an inexpensive, no-frills, simple machine that is ideal for inexperienced gardeners. It’s very easy to use but still offers plenty of power to get the job done.

The deck is adjustable to three cutting heights, and it comes complete with a side discharge chute to offer you a choice of mowing options.

It’s not going to turn any heads, but as a basic electric lawnmower with a hard-top collection bag, this is hard to beat.

Reward: Electric lawnmower for beginners.

Pros

Cons

Black+Decker BEMW472ES Electric Mower

Black & Decker have another entry now with this 15-inch electric mower that is designed to be as maneuverable as possible.

Its unique pivoting control handle allows you to swing the machine around obstacles with ease, while the 10 amp power is more than enough to tackle tougher conditions. The winged blade offers 30% better clipping collection, and the rugged wheels are specifically designed to negotiate longer grass.

Six cutting height adjustments between 1-3 inches are available so you get the finish you want across your lawn.

Reward: One of the most maneuverable lawnmowers with its pivot handle design.

Pros

Cons

Snapper HD 48V MAX Electric Cordless Lawnmower

Snapper has a long history in the garden maintenance market, inventing the first self-propelled rotary lawn mower back in 1951. Since then they’ve continued to grow from strength to strength, and this is a quality product at an outstanding value.

Featuring a 48 Volt cordless battery, you’ll get up to 90 minutes of run time on a full charge. The 20-inch steel deck is solidly built, and it offers 3-in-1 mulch, bag, or side-discharge options. The mower can be stored vertically, and it includes intelligent load sensing technology – allowing optimum power levels for maximum efficiency.

Reward: The great cheap push mower for the price and quality.

Pros

Cons

Sun Joe MJ404E-360 Electric Lawn Mower

This unusual looking beast is a unique three-wheeled mower that gives the user excellent maneuverability and control.

It offers a 360-degree turning radius that will allow you to easily skirt round garden obstacles and edges, potentially halving the time it takes you to mow your lawn.

Ideal for anyone who has to negotiate around flower beds, this corded mower has a 16-inch cutting deck and 12-amps of power, perfect for smaller gardens with some tricky areas.

Reward: The cheap lawnmower for garden obstacles.

Pros

Cons

Yard Machines 132cc Push Gas Lawn Mower

I scoured around for the cheapest possible gas mower and I think that this is it. This Yard Machines 20-inch push mower has a 132 CC gas-powered engine, while still being relatively compact and lightweight.

It’s ideal for mowing small to medium yards and has a side discharge chute so you never have to stop mowing until the job is done.

It offers three cutting heights, a sturdy handle, and durable 7-inch wheels front and rear for maximum maneuverability.

Reward: It’s certainly one of the cheapest cheap gas lawnmowers!

Pros

Cons

GreenWorks 20-Inch 12 Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower

Another Greenworks offering now (it won’t be the last) with this 20-inch 12 amp corded electric lawnmower.

The durable deck is made of steel and it offers 3-in-1 bagging, mulching or side discharge for the grass clippings. The 10-inch rear wheels can tackle even the toughest terrain, while the seven adjustable cutting heights offer you complete control over your mowing.

Foldable handles provide an easy storage solution, in an altogether superb little package for smaller lawns.

Reward: One of the highest-rated corded lawnmowers around.

Pros

Cons

GreenWorks 17-Inch 40V Cordless Lawn Mower

Why have corded when you can have cordless? Well, there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to both, actually, but for a few bucks more you can have this battery-powered mower which is also in the Greenworks range.

It packs in a 40-volt lithium system, in a lightweight 17-inch cutting deck that has bagging and mulching capabilities. However, there is a slight downside here as this is the tool only – the battery will cost significantly extra.

Still, it’s a highly rated mower that has a lot going for it. Maybe you can get a power source for a bargain elsewhere – as it can power several tools in the same range.

Reward: The best lawnmower option for a multi-use battery pack.

Pros

Cons

Fiskars 362050-1001 StaySharp Max Reel Mower

Now, this might come as a surprise – a manual reel mower that’s more expensive than some cordless or even gas versions. That means there’s something to be said for this Fiskars mower, which is the Rolls Royce of reels.

It’s 60% easier to push than other models, with a useful reversible chute that can direct clippings either forward or backward depending on your preference.

The clever inset wheels allow you to mow across the whole length of the blades, which offer 18-inches of StaySharp cutting system that can tackle all types and lengths of grass.

Reward: Easily the most popular reel mower available today.

Pros

Cons

Craftsman M105 Gas Powered Push Lawn Mower

Now under the umbrella of Black & Decker, Craftsman has been making tools since 1927. This is their 21-inch, 140cc gas-powered engine lawnmower, with recoil and auto-choke.

It offers 3-in-1 capabilities of bagging, mulching, or side discharge of grass clippings, with durable, zag-treaded wheels for tough terrain and long grass.

The bagger is included, and the mower features a dual-lever height adjustment for up to six different cutting heights to suit your needs and the needs of your lawn.

Reward: One of the greatest cheap push gas mowers out there.

Pros

Cons

Lawn-Boy 17732 Self Propelled Lawn Mower

There’s a lot going for this Lawn-Boy lawnmower. For starters it’s a self-propelled model with rear-wheel drive – which makes it ideal for hilly terrain, or if you need a bit of extra help when working in the yard.

It offers a 21-inch cutting deck, with those all-important 3-in-1 grass clipping options. The two-point height adjustment system sets two wheels at the same time, ensuring you can set your cutting height super-fast and not lose time.

Reward: Good and cheap self-propelled lawnmower.

Pros

Cons

Black+Decker CM2043C Cordless Mower

Black & Decker’s cordless mower offering gives you two 40-volt batteries included for twice the run time. That’s pretty impressive considering the price.

The mower itself can bag, mulch or side discharge the clippings, while the EdgeMax design allows you to get right up close to borders with ease.

Ideal for lawns up to a ¼ of an acre, one lever can adjust the cutting height between one to four inches.

Like many battery-powered products, the power source can be used in several other Black & Decker machines.

Reward: The cheap cordless mower – at least at this price.

Pros

Cons

WORX WG751 Power Share 5.0 Ah Lawn Mower

Just when we have one mower including two battery packs we get another – albeit a bit more expensive.

This 20-inch lawnmower from Worx offers 40-volts of power and the 3-in-1 cutting disposal options that all mowers should have. The patented technology provides additional torque on demand and the ability to conserve battery when desired, while a single lever can adjust the height to your desire.

You can share the battery with other Worx products, too.

Reward: The best inexpensive lawnmower that’s both lightweight and powerful.

Pros

Cons

Greenworks PRO Cordless Lawn Mower

Highly rated, powerful, economical, and with a battery and charger included, this Greenworks model is simply the best affordable lawnmower you can buy.

It gives you an hour of run time on one charge, with an 80-volt lithium battery that will get the job done with ease.

The brushless motor provides the tool with longer run-time, more torque, and more power, while the versatile 3-in-1 discharge capabilities allow for rear discharge, mulching, and side discharge options.

You won’t get much better than this for the price.

Reward: Good cordless lawnmower for the power and price ratio.

Pros

Cons

Troy-Bilt Pony 42X Riding Lawn Mower

Now, I know what you’re thinking – this isn’t cheap. And you’re right – it isn’t. But I set myself a challenge to include the best affordable riding lawnmower and I think I’ve done it.

US company Troy-Bilt make some outstanding power tools for lawn care and this is no exception.

With a seven-speed transmission, 42-inch cutting deck with dual blades, mulch, and side discharge options, and a mow-in-reverse setting – this beast is a joy to use for anyone with a larger lawn.

Reward: Good “cheap” riding lawnmower available.

Pros

Cons

As I’ve mentioned previously, if you have a lawn anywhere over 1 acre, I highly recommend going only the ride-on route. If you need any great options, we also have an article specifically on riding lawn mowers!

How to Choose the Right Lawn Mower for The Money

It might not be quite as simple as opting for the product with the lowest price (although that does count for a lot), so here’s some advice on what you should be looking out for before adding a new toy to the cart.

Type of Mower/Power Source

“Cheap” mowers can come in all shapes and sizes. I’ve made it my mission to choose a selection of products from all kinds of jobs, so you can choose the mower that’s right for your circumstances.

So, you need to figure out what they are.

Reel Lawn Mowers

Reel lawn mowers need little maintenance. They’re very easy to set up and use, but they might take a little bit more effort to push than other mowing options.

That being said, they’re great for small patches of land, offer excellent maneuverability and cost nothing to run.

They’re also very environmentally friendly – which is a huge plus point in the age we live in.

Corded Lawn Mowers

These are a step up. They offer constant power supply and are very easy to use. They’re ideal as starter mowers, for small to medium yards where a power source is located close by.

The downsides are fairly obvious – you have to be attached via the cable. This can prove something of a problem for many users, and there is always a risk of injury from running over the mower cable.

They run much quieter than many other mowers, however, and are still very eco-friendly.

Cordless or Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers

Cordless or battery-powered mowers offer you more freedom. They’re ideal if your yard is medium to large, and you’re looking for a decent power to performance ratio.

They’re kinder to the environment than gas-powered mowers, but they can take time to charge. It’s well worth having a backup battery – but they can come almost as expensive as the tool itself.

Another advantage of battery-powered mowers is that with some manufacturers, the actual battery pack can be used in several products in that particular range.

So, if you also had a leaf blower, chainsaw, or trimmer, for example, you can interchange the battery pack and use it in those machines.

Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers

Gas-powered mowers will usually offer the most torque and as such, they are able to tackle tougher conditions over longer jobs.

However, they’re usually much more expensive and require regular maintenance. Along with ride-on mowers. They’re also the least environmentally friendly option out there.

Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

These mowers can have a variety of power sources and they’re ideal for anyone who needs a bit of extra help with mowing the lawn or just to make the job easier in general.

Ride-On Lawn Mowers

Ride-on lawnmowers aren’t cheap – but as you can see I included one in the review as the “cheapest” I could find in this class.

They’re only suitable if you’re mowing lawns larger than an acre, so don’t even think about it if you have a small yard.

Choosing the right mower for your needs involves many factors.

But to keep it simple – so long as you choose the right size of mower for your yard, how it’s powered can be entirely up to your personal preference.

Lawn Size

I thought I should include a handy little table that will give you an idea of what kind of mower you should choose depending on your lawn size.

Of course, this is just an estimate – it’s down to you if you agree with it or not and are willing to take the advice.

If your land is a ¼ of an acre or less, you choose either a reel lawnmower or a corded electric model.

For land between ¼ of an acre and ½ an acre, go for a cordless or gas-powered mower.

Between ½ and acre and 1 acre, you choose a gas mower, or a more powerful cordless mower to ensure you’re finished without having to charge too often. An 80-volt battery is recommended, and a self-propelled machine highly advisable.

For anything over 1 acre of land, you should be considering a ride-on.

It’s also worth noting that hilly terrain and obstacles will play a part in choosing the right size of mower for your needs – so make sure you consider optimum maneuverability, too.

Remember, that the proper lawn mowing practices can result in healthier grass.

Grass Clippings

One of the most important things you have to consider before buying a new lawnmower – cheap or otherwise – is how does it dispose of the grass clippings.

Or, more to the point – how you want to dispose of the grass clippings.

Generally, you’re going to have one of three options.

Bagging – is where the grass is collected into a bag attached to the mower. It means you get a tidy yard but you might have to regularly stop to empty the load.

Mulching – is when the grass is more finely diced inside the cutting deck before being deposited back onto the lawn in an attempt to improve its overall health.

Side-discharge – is where the grass is ejected from the side of the mower which significantly improves mowing times, but can cause a mess.

For more information on the difference between the types of grass clippings, read this or this article.

They all have their advantages and disadvantages, but when choosing a cheap lawnmower make sure it has the cutting capabilities you need.

Your Physical Condition

The size of the lawn, access to power points, terrain, and time will all come into play when choosing a new cheap lawnmower.

But perhaps one of the most important factors is your own physical condition.

Most people don’t actually enjoy mowing the lawn (unless you’re weird like me who finds it strangely therapeutic) but we humans have come up with ways to make it as easy and as painless as possible.

That being said, it can still be a real effort to do the job – especially if you’re of advancing years, or you have particularly tough terrain to manage.

Choose a suitable lawnmower that you’re going to be able to control safely and comfortably.

Mowers with rear-wheel drive that are self-propelled are good for tackling hills.

Certain mowers are far more maneuverable than others – lookout for features that help you negotiate obstacles.

Price

You get what you pay for these days, and you should always try to get the best you can afford.

But there’s no reason you can’t achieve professional results without breaking the bank – many of these mowers offer excellent bang for the buck.

FAQs

Which Company Makes Good Budget-Friendly Lawn Mowers?

All the mowers included in this article come from quality manufacturers. It would be difficult to pick just one – as many times it comes down to personal preference.

However, based on the items I reviewed and my research, I would say that in this class – it would be hard to topple Greenworks as an excellent lawn care company that offers top-draw affordable lawnmowers.

It also depends on what you are looking for. There are different types of lawn mowers and each comes with its pros and cons in different price categories.

Let me know which lawn mower you think is the best in the comments below.

Will a Cheap Lawn Mower Actually Work?

Yes. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get this simple job done.

Having said that, you should thoroughly check the reviews and make up your own mind about which product you should try.

It’s not unheard of for things to break, or degrade over time. Go for something that is backed by a lot of good reviews and positive comments from genuine users – and you won’t go too far wrong.

How Long Will a Cheap Lawn Mower Last?

That depends on a number of factors.

How much you use it, how well you clean and care for it, and whether or not it is mistreated in any way will all contribute to the life of the lawnmower.

But there’s no reason a good-quality product won’t run for several seasons (at the very least) with the right care and proper use.

If you’re concerned about a lawnmower malfunctioning in it’s prime, make yourself aware of the manufacturer’s warranty and return options.

Are Parts Easy to Source for Cheap Lawn Mowers?

Usually, yes. Especially if you opt for a familiar brand with a household name.

Should you need to replace anything on the mower, simply contact the manufacturer directly and order a replacement.

Either that or your local hardware store should be able to point you in the right direction.

Just because they’re cheaper mowers doesn’t mean they’re not backed up with parts and service options.

Summary

I hope this article and the reviews contained within have helped you choose a budget-friendly lawnmower for the upcoming season.

If I was to choose one myself, I’d go with the Greenworks Pro 80-volt cordless model. It’s a beast of a machine that will do an acre of land in one charge – and probably the best budget-friendly mower you can buy.

Let me know which model you would choose and why.

Happy mowing!